Improvement in sun-helmets



E. HALVORSON. Sain-Holiness.

No. 213,415. `Pa1en1ed Mar. 1s, 1879.

PETERS., PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WAMHNGTUN. D C,

UNrrED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HALVOR HALVORSON, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE,-ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM EARL, OF SAME PLACE, AND BENJAMIN A. EARL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SUN-HELMETS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,415, dated March 18, 1879; application iiled November 1, 1878.

To all whom 'it may concern: a.

Be it known that l', HALvoR HALvoRsoN, of Nashua, county of Hillsborough, and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Head-Protectors or Sun-Helmets, of which the following is a full description, such as to enable any person skilled in the art to make, construct, and use the same, due reference being made to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of head protectors or coverings in which the shield is suspended above the head, allowing free access of air upon all sides; and it consists in a certain novel construction and combination of parts, which will iirst be described, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 in the drawings is a perspective view of my invention, showing it attached to the head of the wearer, and in the position it occupies when in use. Fig. 2 is a view more in detail, showing the supportingframe and attachment, the covering of the shield being removed to more clearly exhibit the several parts. Fig. 3 is a view of a portion of one of the ribs of the helmet, showing the mode of attaching the rods of the supporting-frame.

In the drawings, A denotes the shield or helmet, which is very similar to the form of the common parasol, it being a covering of cloth supported upon au extremely light but strong frame, D, which may be folded compactly. These rods D are supported, when extended, by stretchers G, pivoted at their outer ends to projecting lips f, formed upon rods D, whereby the stretcher is enabled to lie closely against the rod when folded. At their inner ends the stretchers C are pivoted to a runner, O', which slips over a short staff projecting through the top of the helmet, and having a retaining-spring to hold the runner when the shield is spread open. The stretchers O are pivoted to the rods D at or near the middle point ofthe latter, and said stretchers are of such a length that when the helmet is unfolded they will lie in very nearly the same horizontal plane, the object being to place the supports so high that they cannot, in any manner, nor under any circumstances, interfere with the head of the wearer. To the stretchers C, at a short distance from their outer ends, are pivoted light supporting-rods G, which extend downward, and are attached at their lower ends to a broad band or webbingstrip, B.

In the drawings I have shown four of these supporting-rods C but it is evident that any suitable number may be used. These rods are unequal in length,the shortest being placed at the front of the helmet and the longest at the rear, in order that when in use, as shown in Fig. 1, the shield shall be as nearly horizontal as possible. Furthermore, this construction is intended to serve an additional purpose, since by shifting the short rod toward the side of the head any desired inclination may be given to the shield, in order to afford protection from reilected light or froniflthe rays of the sun when near the horizon..

The band B may be made of 'common webbing or other material, or it may be composed of a single elastic strip. I prefer, however, to use t-he ordinary canvas webbing and insert a short section of elastic ribbon, B", at that part of the band which lies against the back of the head. To each end of this inserted elastic strip I attach a buckle, d, which connects said strip with the webbing band, and enables the wearer to fit the band to the head, whatever the required size may be. To afford perfect security under exceptional circumstances, a chin-strap, B', may be added. It would seldom be necessary, however, to use this, as the band B gives firm support to the helmet, and securely attaches it to the head.

When not in use the helmet may be folded by removing it from the head, pressing the spring on the staff b, which holds the runner Cf, and.V slipping the latter entirely off the staff, when all the parts composing the frame, together with its supports, will fold, side by side, like a parasol. The shield may then be reduced to an exceedingly small compass and conveniently carried in the pocket. To travelers, especially in tropical countries, as well as tourists, Sportsmen, and othersjwf'lrqse avo- -cations lead them to incur long exposure to the sun, this device is especiallyY valuable,

since it not only gives complete shade to tbe whole head, affording a peculiar protection to the eyes, but by its use constant, complete, and thorough ventilation is afforded to every part of the head, while its strength and lightness, and the very small space it occupies when folded, and the ease with which it can he adjusted or removed, render it invaluable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A sun-helmet consisting of a folding' shield attached to and supported by a web hing strip passing around the head, and rendered adjustable in length, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with therods D,the stretch ers C, runner G', short statil b, rods C, and band B, all as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a sun-helmet, the frame-rods l), hav ing lipsf, to which are pivoted the stretchers C, as set forth.

4. In combination with the shield A, the rods C and the band B, having elastic section Bl and buckles d d, as and for the purposes described.

5. A sun-helmet consisting of a shield held wholly out of contact with the head by means of suitable supporting-rods attached to a band, adjustable in length, and adapted to encircle the upper portion of the head, as described.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a sunshade consisting of the shield A, stretchers C, rods C", baud B, having elastic section B and buckles d d, and provided with a chin-strap, B', all as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

m IIALVOR H ALVORSON.

Witnesses:

W. W. BAILEY, EDWARD S. CUTTER. 

